Nick Funnell

How does a young scientist from York, England become head brewer for Sweetwater Taverns in Northern Virginia? Chemistry. That’s right. Nick’s chemistry degree from the University of Leeds in the U.K. ignited a passion that led him to brew some of the finest beers in the world.

After refining his beer-making skills in the U.K., Nick moved to the States and was hired as Great American Restaurants’ first brewer in 1996. Nick now leads a skilled and dedicated brew crew that scours the world for the finest ingredients to create our perfectly balanced, award-winning beers. This obsession with fresh and natural ingredients, and an age-old traditional brewing process, drive the creation of 35 varieties of beer a year…a myriad of flavors, colors and strengths to satisfy every palette.

“People are so enthusiastic and interested when I say I’m a brewer,” says Nick. “I definitely made the right career choice. After all, I’m paid to do something a lot of people do as a hobby; there must be something good in that.”